fflmsm 

■!■'■:■■• 



id 



111! 



■Ml 
■raHl 






Book 



\S 535 
.S3" 



PRESENTED BY 



..♦♦•♦♦. 



ARMORY OF 




/ 




BRIDGEPORT. CONN., 



T7. S. A. 



*£. Jt7 






0<* 






41 A 



UNION METALLIC CARTRIDGE CO. 



, OONN. 
MANUFACTURERS OF 



Metallic Amm»miii#» 

OF EVER! DESCRIPTION. 

ALSO, <>F 

The Celebrated "U.M.O." Paper Shells 



AND 



8TURTEVANT, 
BERDAN, 

OROUTT, ) FOE BREECH-LOADIXG GUNS. 



IT, i 



BERDAN'S "CREEDMOOR" CARTRIDGES 



FOR LONG-RANGE SHOOTING. 



ty* Above Goods for sale by all Dealers. 




jSBHiii8HBBBlfe 

K 

ESTABLISHED 1851. 



Iii 
LI' 



litfi Rifle Oeapaaj j| 



'BRIDGEPORT, CONN. U.S A. 







\NI> 



'( OLD RELIABLE ) 



111 
ft 

ta 

m 
i-il 



IkU'K MAKK. 



Ill 

I 

ftl 
~ LIT 

iiyi 

NEW YORK OFFICE AND WAREROOMS: 

No. 177 BROADWAY. Ill 




EDWIN S. HARRIS. 

N r For 

SHARPS RIFLE COMPANY, 

177 BROADWAY. NEW YORK. 

Breeth-LoadingGutt8ai)d Implements, Rifles and Pistols 
of most approved styles, Muzzle Loaders of all grades. 

nut m nnt mwn ttitti 

<;| N \IATi:illllX 

CARTRIDGE VESTS and BELTS. ELASKS and POUCHES, 

AMMUNITION OF F.VERY KIND. 

HARRIS'S 

WATERPROOF HUNTING & FISHING SUITS. 

The attantlouof Bimrtwnen and Dealers le railed to m) Waterproof ftultii for 
Huatin*. Ftehln*. or *eneral oul door wear rhe material of which theae suits 
are made Isdark brown « iterproof duck, of heal quality. For practioal use, style 
ol out durability of material and cheapness* there Is nothing better 

CARTRIDGE SHELLS LOADED TO ORDER, 
HEAPQUARTKR8 FOR BOGARDUS9 GLASS BALL TRAPS AND BALLS, 



ESTABLISHED 1 85 1 



SHARPS RIFLE COMPANY 

M 

BRIDGEPORT, CONN.. U. S. A. 



BREECH -LOADING FIRE ARMS 



AMMUNITION 



( OLD RELIABLE ) 



N | . \\ VOKK OFFICE AND SVAHEKUOM 
No, 177 UK< >Al>\VAY. 



TSS35- 




% 



<?A\ 



ARMORY OF SHARPS RIFKE CO., 

BRIDGEPORT, CO!fM., I 

bf presenting to the public ^►ur new price list, we desire to call general atten 
tion t«» the large reduction in prices noted therein, which an increased production, 
with lower rates f«»r labor and material have enabled u^ to make. 

Under all circumstances we shall rigidly adhere to our Axed policy <>f using 
only the bed obtainable material, and employing only the most skillful workmen. 
No work thai is not perfect is permitted t<» leave the armory ; every piece is care 
fully inspected, and each barrel is sei irely tinted for accuracy andstrei -th 

Descriptions, with Illustrations, will be found in succeeding pagea The long 
range ritle has maintained its claim to wear (with all products of the armor? ithe 
legend of "Old Reliable." in computing percentages made in the great Interna 
tional Natch of 18TB, with forty competitors in the field, using rifles of ^ix diflTi rent 
makers, including all the crack British muazle loaders, it w;is found that Sharps 

headed the li<t with .877, the next highest scoring ™ilj * r ^. <s flftelal report in 

Rod and <iu,\. September •*<>. 1876.) In the International Match <>f 1877, America 
against besl marksmen »>f England, Ireland, and Scotland, In ipiteof tremendous 
efforts of other manufacturers t-» get t<» the front, Sharps is found still in the had 
with an average of r^» per man against 41 \ by any other rifle, and a perci ntage of 
the next highest being but .WO. 

In Fall Meeting, 1878, of N. K A., i t Creedmoor, Sharps kill.- enteral in 

en matches, took first prize in twelve of them, and * r I prizes in the other 

four. Among them the 

I'NTER-STATE HILITABY MATCH. 

The Row fork State Team, using sharps Military Rifle, won with a -.-or.- of *M I 
Beat score with other Rifles ... 



I ill INTERNATIONAL MILITARY MATCH. 

New N < »i k state Tram, with Sharps Rifles, won with a score ol 

Best with other Kitles 



IOI I 



TUB INTUlt-STATi: LOW 



G-RANGK WATCH 



Average \ 



>«•:• man u>i 



ng Sharps Kith- 



Other Kitten ns.-.l av< raged 



213 
198 and 19? 



THE WIMBIi:W«N CUP. 
u- iv Mr Frank Hvde with a Sharps Long-IUngeRllle,witki«coreof ifc 

llllt vr^ 

^ Wilh a S1 . 1>IV of » point, agajnsl best Bcor* by any ^«JJi^> H ... 

For the grand aggregate prize, three compet tow, Mr. r H yde, U» 
Crark, and Capt W. H. Jacteon, all using Sham* t led on a .core of W 

THE LONG-RAKCB MILITARY CHAMPIONSHIP. 

Kirst priae * J, s Barton with a sharp, :- 4U prfc* in .** «atc* 

„■(.,-, mm wtl* Sharps S»/"- 

IHTBRNATIONAI. LONO-HANGK MATCH. 
, 8 sumner made, with . fflmrp. Umg-IUoge Rifle, the «.n .ordinary More el 
»»1, „„, „f , poeeible SB5, a< 800, 900, and 1*0 yards. 



Manv improvement, hare I n made in ftemodmo* 187H. an,l .h, Company 

t J!ZZZ in caning thm for accuracy an,! other e-entiai, H I. mW 

«Z in - invent in IS* and was the firs, snccessfn. „n, oh loader ,v,, 

,a ■ Tcompan, for >.s mannfaotn.v was organhmd a, Hartford, Conn.. ,n 1861 
'i ,| ,.', on the business there for many year, with very great sueeess. In 

Earlj in 1W», tin m w}umv u has abou , 

manufactory .vn.re n.i..,, i * ■" '»>» • ^ '^ „„ lh) . „,„. 

on i«i miiM#»rficial feet of working room upon .imk v. j 

H - ' v n II * II R.R.wIm navigable water oaUmpreml.es. and with 

.,,,/",:,,. sliu-rs. I tera sport* „. and other* yet. ;»•-"•-«• 

thirty >>arsuj .vgtem. workmanship, or material 

cll , „ i^. ry .h-.,....; , ^;,' •«,;,';;„, „,, t , mnU,,s an, the „s,i,nony 

i i hntnl shots nearly all of whom use the Sharps arms. 
..IVsi-'-n., ,-,!,!,,.... '^;; ;,,,,,,.,,,,,, llia( ,,. inlKV ..u...|-:iar.-sliMinuH.. 



various breech loaders purchased or mode by the Government that were retained 
and are now in us»- by tlw United states Army. All others, without tMHptUm, were 
sold, or condemned ami broken up.] General Steele, who used Biabh Bisuh on 
the Texas frontier for many years, reports that he never had occasion to semi one 
to the gunsmith for repairs 

IV. The ease with which the several parts can be k**]»t clean and In working 
order.— The barrel Is open to instant and unobstructed Inspection, and can be 
brushed or wiped from tin* breech, thus ejecting thedebrhi fr<»m the muzzle a de- 
cided advantage over Uiose that can only be wiped from the muxsle, throwing the 
debris Into the working parts. 

Western ami other hunters and marksmen have, as their estimate of its 
excellent qualities, long given tajB name of "Old Kkliaui.k" to the Sharps rifle, 
and the company adopted that as their Trade Mark, which will appear upon all 
of its precfsjetfons. 

sharps Rifles made prior to 1064, and adapted to use linen or paper cartridges, 
cannot he transformed Into metallic, cartridge arms except at such a high cost 
as to render it impracticable. 



[From Hartford Courant, Feb. 4, lKT'J.l 

Sharps Rifle Company have recently received through the Austrian Ambassa- 
dor at Washington, the ^reat gold medal of the Austria-Hungarian empire, which 
was sent them by his majesty the Kmperor, as a token of his high appreciation of 
the merits of samples of the Sharps Company's productions furnished to the Aus- 
trian government. The medal is of large size, of solid gold, and is very beautiful in 
design and execution, as well as being of n< inconsiderable Intrinsic value. It is 
on exhibition in a show window on Main street, Bridgeport, and attracts much 
attention. 



<; 



PRICE LIST, JUNE, 1879, 

SUPERSEDING ALL PREVIOUS LISTS. 



< Inly rifles <>f . 10 and .46 t alibre, Diode] I87N, are 
carried Id stock. Calibres . n and .60 will be 
manufactured only upon special order. 

\- ail deviation from our regular list product 
involves much additional outlay I'm- hand labor. 
an extra charge of tu\iity )*er vent, will be made 
on such special orders, and additional time will 
be required t«» fill them. 1'hi* rule trill, in all 
chin f, /., , (gully ttttlu i > </ t<>. 

Monograms, animals, and other designs ele- 
gantly engravi .1 on our arms, the price for w hieh 
Is governed by the time occupied in itaexecution. 
Customers ran order engraving to the amount of 
|lu, $15, $30, or more, as desired. Engraving 
<an be done only on new work, ami bff-.ro the 
parts arc ease hardened. 

After more than a year and a half of severe 
test, arms of the model of l v 7s have proved 
to possess all the essentials of safety, accuracy, 
penetration, range, st r< ngth, durability, and light 
ncss of recoil L:i\iii^' entire satisfaction to the 
thousands who have bought and used them. We 
shall consequently, for the present, make this 
model the leading feature of our manufacture. 

The '>|,.-rati"n <-f this system i^ remarkable for 
its simplicity and ease of manipulation. Throw- 
ing down the lover (which serves also for a trigger 
guard) ejects with certainty the exploded shell, 
and cocks tin- rifle; the same motion automati- 
cally moves the safety catch ami locks the 
trigger, so that accidental discharge la impos- 
sible. The cartridge la iiom m>- >rted and the 
lever retunied to Ita position The rille, .»! 
though uoa loaded, ma) Im» carried and handled 
in r 1 1 1 \ manner with perfect safetj ; there is 
nothing to catch In bushes; it inaj be pulled out 
ol b<.at or wagon bj the mtucale, or handled in 



Any manner, however carelessly (forother rifles), and it cannot be discharged, 
«*x« ••'! »t by intentionally releasing tin- naft*ty catch an<l pulling th< 

r ty catch is so 1 ited behind th" trigger, and under the trigger-guard, 

that it can h in tiut.ui" oisly, i»ut In no ca«*e accidentally, released. 

When great rapidityof tin- i«< desir.ible, the sal ty-lever may l>e quickly re- 
moved, s«> that the j>i« can b»* discharged iinmo liately upon closing the bree -h. 

Note. -It is an established fact, m > r > ! >u •/ \r* of i •■> -rim- nt. that a rounrl rifle 
hirr-J is ttronger, an I "• U giv better r vtlts, "•'(••;•• extreme accuracy is requiral, 
than ("i octagon or half octagon, llf m^tal is '•<]>iail>i distributed around the 
bore, tin r> >>>/ ensuring > </i'<tl expansion. In on octagon, it is very much more di/litiilt 
to obi ••••/* distribution <>f' th>- material, Theoctagon nhape originated b 

machinery for turning barrels n-'t* in ns>\ and fntn-maia rs found it on eatit rform t<» 
make than the rowul, by luind filing. In th* in ' r fine shooting, it is to be. h 
that tl m will go out of fashion at an early date. 

mvri:ii's rifle. 

Model 1378. 
in calibre, W inch round barrel, single trigger, l r * Inch chamber for 
straight Khell, holding 15 to '^ -rains powder, plain polished American walnut 

stock, weight about *'? lbs •. $^3 00 

Can b«* re-chambere i to tak<> -2U Inch straight shell, h tiding 83 to 70 grains 

of powder, if desired. Extra charge for re-chambering 1 00 

Double triggers xtra 4 00 

"HISINI-SS" hifm:. 
Model IS 
10 calibre, 8H Inch octaooh barrel, binums ihiogrr, •,•'•.• Inch chamber for 
straight shell, holding 65 to 70 grains powder, plain polished American walnut 

stock, weight about Id lbs $96 00 

Can b<- re chambered t<» tak»* ^^ Inch b» ittlc-necked shell, holding 90 grains 

powder, if desired. Kxt ra cliarge t'<»r re-chambering 1 to 

Double triggers oxtru 4 00 

SPOBTIlfCI KIKLK. 
Model 1878, 
r> calibre, 30 inch aoujtn <>u octaoon barrels, ~ t Vi chamber, using D 8, 
Government cartridge, plain polished American walnut st-x-k, weighl 9 to 12 

lbs 0H i io 

(Hobe and peep sights extra 5 «)0 

Double triggers extra t »*> 

Kxc eeding 12 pounds In weight, per pound , l oo 

Can be re-chambered to tak«* the '- >7 h shell, holding l<*> t*> 180 grains 

powder* Kxtni charge f< >r re chambering 1 00 

When orders for a given weight are received, say 10 lbs . and we have not 
the exact weight, we send the nearest fraction t-» that weighl we have, Tb»« 
variation will n<«t nsnaJly be more than six ounces. Special anus of any 
weiglit or length made and engraved t<> order. 



8 

HUNTBR'fl HITM:. 

Model \K\. 
Wry close shooting serviceable guns, chambered f«>r GO grains powder, 
wti^'lit about 9 lbs., 40 calibre, polished stock, open sights, single trigger 

inch, ruu ikI barrel £^*, no 

"BISlMiSS" KIFLK. 
Model 1874. 
88 ineli round barrel, 4»> and US cal. Double Mffffer, polished stock, weight 
about 10^ lbs., 10 calibre, chambered for 70 grains, and 13 calibre, 75 grains 
lewder |35 uo 

SPOUTING RIFLE. 

Model 1874. 

4.*i calibre, SO inch octagon bbl., weight 9 to IS lbs., oi>en sights, polished 

stocks, single trigger $38 oo 

For guns exceeding 13 lbs. in weight, per lb. extra 1 oo 

Double triggers extra 4(H) 

KXPKKSS RIFLE. 

.Model IS7& 

•15 calibre, 26 inch octagon barrel, single trigger, 2£fincb chamber, for 
straight shell, holding 100 to 190 grains powder, fancy American walnut 
checkered stock and forearm, pistol grip, hard rubber butt-plate, sling Staples, 
two-leaved rear Bights with platinum lines, long-beaded front sight, upper sur- 
face of barrel "Mat M finished. Weight about 9)4 pounds, giving Hat trajec- 
tory up to 175 yards $6S 00 

Double triggers extra 1 oo 

We warrant this arm to be quite as effective as the best English Express Rifle 
made. The price is about one-third the cost of au imported gun, having equal 
efficiency and finish. i 

We have produced the "Express EUne ' In order to meet the requirements 

gentlemen desiring highly finished weapons, but we cannot claim for it any better 
shooting qualities than can l>e found in our sporting 46 calibre rifles, chambered for 
the ~'% inch shell, holding 100 to 1^0 grains powder (capacity of shell being largely 
dependent upon the grade of powder used, and the care exercised in slowly filling 
it), and using the Express 393 grain hollow pointed bullet. The whole secret of ine 
term " ICxpress" consists in using large charges of powder with a light projectile, 
which Is given so great an initial velocity that gravity Is largely overcome, and the 
bullet will fly I&0 to ITS yards without a perceptible fall toward the earth, thus 
making a vvryfkU trajectory. 

A hunter, armed with our Sporting Rifle (costing about 30 dollars), using the 15 
calibre Express cart ridge, has as efficient a weapon as he who inii>orts an English 
Express at an exp< use of from £150 to |408L 

Bosse of the English Kxpress Bines are bond as large as .577 calibre. After 
extended experiment, we believi that 15 calibre is quite large enough to j roduco 





the best result* An increased size of bore, and consequently of the bullet, require! 
a correspondingly Increased charge of powder to overcome the resistance ami give 
tho necessary Telocity to the heavier projectile. 

T)w bullet is made with a hollow point, In order to give, with t »»•» same weight 
of lead, additional bearings upon tin- grooves of the barrel, and to properly adjust 
Its balance. On striking garue, the hollow-pointed bullet expanda outwardly, um- 
brella-like, giving a fearful deathly wound. Every hunter has vitally iiit with a 
s.'iui bullet, deer ami other ganie that still had sufficient life loft to hide beyond 
reach and die In solitude The shook and wound given by an Express bullet Is so 
terrible, that game fairly hit can rarely gel away. 

The hole in the point <»f a 14, 15, or W calibre Kxpn-ss bullet is made to take a 
long 28 calibre rimflre cartridge blank (the shell being Oiled with powder without a 
bullet), so that the hunters of griaxliea and other ugly game can use them as expto- 
sive bullets. 

The explosive shell should be put in the cartridge, one only a f a time, and as 
required on the Held. No danger to the user need be feared when tin cartridge is 
once plaeed in the rifle, but too inueh care cannot be exercised in handling or car- 
rying them. Should auch a cartridge drop and strike on its point, it would be liable 
to explode and sertouslj Injure the bystande] 

We are prepared to furnish Express eartrid^ r e». Rxpress bullets, and Express 
moulds. U), 11, 15, and 50 calibre, together with tin* M calibre blanks for explosive 
cartridges. 

FROM "FOREST AND STREAM' WOYBKBBB 98, I 

* * In the Sharpt 1*78 model ire have at go< i an Express rifle ns ever was made 

in England, if I understand that the flattest trajectory <>r longest p»int-bl<tnk range and 

greatest p enet rati on makes the desiderata of a hunting rifle, besides aremtesi weemracy, 

absolute safety, and rapidity of tiring. * * * For an "Express" tijU, I prefer the 

!-> model 8 harps t 45 calibre, chambered for the fyfaineh thill, tok4e* <i drachms 

powder* * * I have us*d all other makes of rifles, and ou-n a great numh, r of thim, 

but none suit me so well as the l£78 model Sharps. * * * 

OABL DITTMAB. 

SHOUT-RANGE HIFLK. 

Model 18 
40 calibre, 26 ineh round barrel, single trigger, chambered for \% straight 
nhell, holding IS grains, plain American wamut, checkered stock and fore- 
arm, pistol grip, hard rubber butt-plate, short Vernier grip sight and wind 

guage, weight about 9*j Ii>s ,..$40 00 

Can be re-chambered to tak«« 2ft Inch Straight shell, holding 86 to 70 
grains of powder if desired. 

Extra charge for recbambering l 00 

Double triggers extra I <"0 

Bchutaen, Schutsen Modified, or Crescent Butt plates (nickel or sttver 

plated), put on to ordi r only, extra 5 00 



10 



iibd-k \n<;i: hifm:, 
Model 1878. 




40 calibre, 30 inch round barrel, chambered for 2 T i 
Inch straight shell, holding (>o to 70 grains powder. 
Fancy American walnut checkered stock and fore 
arm, pistol tfrip, hard rubber butt plate, three pound 
(rigger pull, Sharps patent improved Vernier sight, 
wind guage, and spirit level. Receiver paneled with 
hard rubber $70 00 

In extra finish, fancy wood stock, engrravinp, etc, 
to order, up tQ 160 00 

Scale of Elevations for Sharps Mid-Range Rifles. 

At the shorter ranges there is Lew difference in eleva- 
tions under varying conditions than at the long dis- 
tances. The following table will be found near enough 
correct to find the targe! (m ith wind guage set correctly) 
'under almost any conditions : 

On* ttnivlmlthii 

Of till ill< lu 

lOOyards 



200 
300 
400 
500 
COO 



11 

24 
37 
51 

B6 



11 




ri.it,- 1 




, to 



.i-s 



■j. 



VI 



ro\«. K\\(.i: RlFUR. 

Model 1878. 

Every long range rifle is fully tested by an 
expert up to 10f>> yards, and Is guaranteed by 
the company in every res|>ect. 

15 calibre, round barrel. -,' n inch cham- 
ber, plain English walnut checkered stock 
and fore arm, pistol ;;rip. hard rubber 
Juitt plate, V& pounds trigger pull, 
Sharps patent Improved Vernier sight, in- 
terchangeable heel and grip, wind guage, 
and spirit level, hard rubber paneled re- 
ceiver, weight just under 10 pounds $100 00 

Same riile t»> order, with extra fancy 
Italian stock, engraving, and eitra fin- 
ish ^l* 00 to 800 00 

The Company hai^e in stock <t few t/mg- 
Range Rifles, model 1*7 1 1 >/*///< outside hammer), 
of fine finish* and whose shooting qualities and 
general excellence are warranted to be equal to 
an// rijh cvrr made, which th> !/ will sell at a 
great reduction from regular prices, on appli- 
cation. 

Elevations for Sharps Long Range Rifles. 

The elevations for heel si^ht will l>e found 
on the ri; r ..t side of the Vernier, ami those for 
the grip on the left. 

This tahle is the average elevation from 
May to October. In early spring or late fall, 
they will be found much higher at the longer 
distances. < >n a very cold day, with a Strong 
head wind, they may 1m- found to be fifteen 
points <7,'i of an inch) higher. < >n a very hot, 
moist day, with a rear wind at 800 to MOO 
yards, they may be five points (,.■,■, of an inch) 
lower. It is intended that all of our long 
range rifles shall shoot at same elevations; 
but different loading of cartridge*.' different 
holding and difference in vision in different 
men, may cause a variation of from three to 
five points. It will be seen that it is only DOS 
sible to make a table that is approximately 
correct. 



13 

s< am: of i:i,i:v\rii'\s, 











•jim yard* 


... 11 


Xii j 


ards . 


1^ 


" 


. . . n 


800 




.".''. 


HW " 


88 


400 




."'.'» 


" 


. ... 




" 


71 


600 M 


... 70 

96 

103 


600 
700 
800 

000 
1000 

1100 


;; 


91 


iHX) " 


1 1 :» 


*' 




r;; 


900 " 


121 

130 


100 


1IKN " 


M 


1M 


Mil " 


100 


" ... 


... 30U 


I2U0 " 


1>U 


1200 


" 


• >;;;, 



9IKASITHING KLKVATIOWS II V I UK VMKlflBas KC.4LB. 

Klevations for Sharps LongRai •• Rifles are measured by Inches, marked 1, 2, 
8, etc. (On some of th< old model guns the scale is marked in half inches.) These 
are sub-divl led into twentieths of an inch, each mark on the main seals representing 
five one-hundred ths (more commonly called points). \ f tin? bottom line of the 
sh<»rt sliding Kale be set opposite the line marked 1 or the main scale, it shows one 
Inch elevation. To a<M x \ t ior one point) to thi*. >\»- §et the second line from the 
bottom on the akort Bcale, to tlw* line on the male scale above it. To add ,jn (or two 
points) we move the third line from the bottom on the short scale, to the lino above 
it. To add || fl move up the fourth line, and for ,f„ the fifth line, then to get the , ' a 
tin* bottom lino is now moved up to the first line above the Inch mark, and wo have 
ljort in. elevation, or, as more commonly called, one hundred and live points. 

Proceed in same manner for any number of points required. 

To Measure Fractions of a Point by the New Vernier. 

on the lower half of the screw that moves the sliding scale sill beobserved 
grooves out diagonally aor<>^ tlie thread at regular Intervals. Mov« the screw tin* 
width of one of these, and it changes the elevation one-tenth of ;i point, or one one- 
thousandth of au inch, two of them two-tenths, etc. On the centre of Ihe screw 
n ill he olwerved the figures ". •">. 10, r>, '5K at regular intervals. rYom to 6 changes 
one-half a point ; to 10 changes one point; turning it eutirely round changes two 
and one-half points. The new Vernier scale is an Invention recently patented by 
the Shahi's Rm.K Co,, and can ho used on no «»t ht-r rifle. The numerous advantage . 
it possesses over the old one will ho greatly appreciated by expert riflemen. Be- 
sides the old scale measurement, it has an additional Vernier, by which aoydeel 
mal of a point jV, (one-Uiousandth «»f an Inch), , . ' . etc., can he moved in elevation 
with accuracy. Tin- slender screw, which much trouble when bent, is done 

away with, ami the rifleman can be certain a Inn he fixes Ins elevation al any point 
that it \\ 01 not be found at some other point after the p»«-p cup ho lightened 




MILITARY RIFLE. 

Model 1^78. 

For safety, accuracy, penetration, 
range, ease of manipulation, rapidity 
and certainty of fire, strength, dura- 
bility, and lightness <<f recoil, the] art 
unequaled by any military rill** made. 

The safety catch is so located behind 
the trigger, and under the trigger- 
guard, that it can be instantaneously, 
but in no case accidentally, released. 

When great rapidity of fire is de- 
sirable, as in battles* the safety lever 
may be quickly removed, so that the 
piece can be discharged immediately 
upon closing the breech, and thus save 
one movement. The United states 
and Austrian are now the only great 
governments who retain the obsolete 
outside hammer on their arms, and 
the question of a change is being agi- 
tated by both. 

objections may possibly be made to 
the absence of the outside hammer 
on account of the difficulty in execut- 
ing the movement of " support arms. " 
It should be remembered that the 
manual in made for arms, and not 
arms/or th<' man '"»/. 

i.") calibre, length of shell, *Y inches, 
7") grains powder. 490 grains lead, 
V. s. cartridges can be used, length 
of barrel 3S inches, length of rifle I s '- 
inches, weight without bayonet, i» 
pounds, $2*\50; with bayonet, $84.75. 



< Alt IIIM •>. 

15 calibre, length of shell, 2,^ Inches, 
3D grains powder, LJ. S. Government 
cartridges can be used, length of bar 
rel, 84 inches, weight about ^ _■ pounds, 
$1 H 50. I »< mble t riggers can i».> applied 
t«. both military ride and carbine, to 
>i nVr "ill v . extra, ?4.flu 



15 

For Government*, States, and Independent Military Organ isations, special 

price* will bf given upon application. 

Extract from the Report of tke Adjutant General of Michigan, 1OT8. • * * • 
" After fuU consideration t>y the State Military Hoard, //<>• state Arm hoe oeen changed 
from the Springfield Breech Loading 50 calibrt Bi/U, to the Sharps Military ttijte t calibre 
i^abreech loader with th> Lat,*t improvements. This exchange is not only made on 
account o/the great tuperiority of the Sharp*, but that the Qooernnu nt ha* adopted the 
i5 calibre, • • • • The Sharpe i$ an arm of fine finish, great durability, perfectly 
xa/e in uee t of comparatively light weight, with rapidity and certainty of fire, light re- 
coil, and for aocuraey, at either short or long range, is considered to be unsurpassed, 
perhaps uneyualed. • • • " 

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA, OFFICE ADJUTANT GENERAL, 

Ralejob, June 2\st, is: *j. 

Tiik Sharif Rifle Company, Brwoepoht, Conn.: 

ntletnen—l desire I :ard your gun, as 'Th jr Rifle/ 1 

perfect and simple in its niechau *m; it is the quicken* and easiest loaded of any 
arm [overtired, while the lockii r gives perfect safety. The absence of a 

hamn ther advantage. In its qualities as o bard and close shooter, it has 

not a superior, and may always be depended upon foi sure work. 

Respectfully, 

FRED. A. OLDS, 

Ordnance Officer. 



OFFICER'S K1FLK. 

to del i- 

Hame length, irelght, and calibre as the Military Rifle. Medium fai 
American walnut stock, close!) selected barrels, with receiver inlaid with 
hard rubber (similar to Long Kan-.- Rifle), extra finish throughout, Price, I 



Hi 




Rear Bight (Sj>ort- 
Ing), $2.00 



New Military Siffbt. H.00. 







m 




New Patent Vernier, $10 

Measures to , J, of an inch. 




Peep Siyrht (Sportinj 



is 



RELOADING llflPLElU i:\Ts, SK.IITs, ETC., BTC. 

Bullet Mould— " Sporting,' 1 " Business," '* Hunting/ 1 and "Mid -Range 11 

Wad Cutter 50 

Cap Extractor and Re-Capper l 86 

Lubricator Mould BO 

Bullet Seater ','> 

Follower (for Beating Wads) 

Charger *r> 

Per set 15 00 



W IN) 



Long-Ramos Reloading Implements, 

Rws ) 

Slu^ M. >uld \ 

Cap Extractor and lie-Capper 1 'J.*» 

BulM Seater. w 1 00 

Wad Cutler SO 

Charger., 85 y 

Brass Loading Tube (nickel. plated), 15 cal., 84 inches a fiO 

Shell Reducer for Long-Range Shells J U0 

Per sat v $15.00. 

11 Express *' Reloading Implements, per set • i < *• » 

"Express 1 ' Bullet Moulds (Naked . 10, 11, I5,and50cal 3 90 

Lohk. 88 cal. Rim lire cartridge ulanks for use in 44, 15, and r>u cat Expr 

Bullets, per 1000 M *>0 

Charges for measuring, 60, 00, 70. ;:., 77. ( .w>, 05, 100, 105, 110, or 120 grains of 

p< >wder, each l'.'i 

Shell Reducing Punch and Die— for reducing Shells expanded In firing t oo 

Bullet Swage with Slug Mould, Long »r Hid Range 8 00 

club.- Sights, interchangeable with Open Sights l 00 

Peep Sights (Sporting) 4 00 

44 price for graduating, each B0 

Beach Combination Front Sights 2 50 

Telescope Sighta 85 00 

Interchangeable Pin Ball or Aperture Disks for Wind Ouage, each 

English Express Rear Sight, two leaves 100 and 200 yards, platinum lined, in- 

terchangeable with all sharps Sporting Rear Sight 8 00 

English Express Front Sight, lint* Long head, interchangeable with all Sharps 

Sporting Front Sight i 00 

Double triggers, extra 100 

Combination Screw Driver with Pin-Punch, for assembling 1878 model 85 

Crescent Uutt Plates (nickel or silver plated), extra 5 00 



10 

Schutzen r.utt Plates [nickel or surer plated), full German stylo $:> no 

Modified, Sharps style r, <x) 

Cleaning Rmls 96 

extra loDK. varnished, with handles BO 

Cleaning Brushy .*ii>e With ro<ls TjO 

Jewell 1 ! Soon' Books, with flexible morocco covers, net BO 

Russet Leather filings I 60 

Sling Swivel, 50c. ; lining same, 50c 1 00 

Bharps Powder, per lb . r >o 

Lubricating Disks, i>«t 1000 1 IB 

Material, i><r lb l no 

Primers, per 1000 2 :»o 

Wads, per 1000 B0 

Cut Paper Patches, per 1000 60 

Patch Paper, 100 sheets I 00 

Corks used in loading shells, when a charge of powder less than the capacity 

of the shell is required, per 100, 25 

Hardened Steel shells, 45 cal. -7„ inch straight, sOcaL 2)4 Inch straight, hold' 

log IS grains powder, for military and short range target practice (sea 

75 

0f ordered in lots of ion, a discount of 15 per cent will be made from this 
list prfoa > 
Chambering Tools, 40, 44, 45, or. Meal., for any cartridge comprimvl in our 

list, each 10 00 

CASKS FOIl HIFLIS. 

Canvas, Gun Shaped $-' 60 

Stiff Leather, Gun Shaped too 

Bridle Leather, Gun Shaped, with Shoulder Strap 10 00 

Bard Leather, Trunk Shaped lii mi 



20 



COMPONENT PARTS, 



Barrels for Sharps Hides, weighing when 

assembled: 



9 to 12 lbs. 30 inch Slf 


Sight, Rear. Military 




*2<N) 


12 to 18 M " 


11 00 


M Hear, Sporting 




2 no 


13 to 14 " " 

11 to 15 tk 4k 


12 00 
18 «H) 


" Peep, Rear 




t in 


M Globe, Trout 




1 00 


16 to 16 " " 


11 00 


Stirnip 

Bere 




20 


Mid-Range Barrels $15 00 


90 


Adjusting, touting, and war- 
ranty 10 00 

Long- Range Barrels 20 00 


-25 00 


Swivel 

M Bar and Ring 

Screws, 'v inch, and under, 
over }-*> inch 




50 
50 
05 


Adjusting, testing, and war- 


10 


ranty 80 00 


50 00 
86 
50 


Toggle 




10 


Barrel Stud 






50 


Bridle 


Double, complete . 




1 00 


JJutt Plate 


1 00 

2 00 
50 
20 


Tumbler 

Fly 




1 00 


Rubber 

Bands, each 

Band Bpringi 

Butt Stock, M'ch'd 

Broad 


-J5 


Tip Stock 

Vernier Leaf 




2 00 

1 IK) 


3 00 
1 00 


Slide 




1 35 


Cup 




1 50 


** l*istol Grip 


10 00 


Base 

Studs, 2 




;5 i«) 


" Extra tor Key Amer- 






,:» 


ican Walnut 

Butt Stock, Extra for Italian Wal- 
nut 


5 00 

10 00 
5 00 


Spring 

Adjusting Screw. . 
Check Nut* 8.... 
Base Screw 




50 
00 

to 
10 


Checking Butt Stock and Forearm. 


Extractor 

Escutcheon . . 

Firing Bolt 

Uuard strap, Single Trigger 
"■ Double Trigger. 
Hammer. 
Lever 

M Spring 

" Key 
iAtek I'lata 


50 

10 
1 IN) 

1 00 

1 "> 

1 .Ml 

1 ,.") 
50 
50 

1 25 


Vender Sights, complete, 


Mid- 


B 00 


Vernier Sights, complete, 

iiauge, Patent , 
Vernier Sights, complete, 

Range, I jlI i ,i l.< nig. 


Long- 
Long 


10 IK) 

i: on 


Wind Ullage and Spirit 
complete 

Wind Ullage Slide 

Base 


Level, 


.; 50 

1 1 1 


Main Spring. . . . 


1 INI 


Stud 






N< irc Cap Mil if an 


."hi 


Screw . 






Recei> er. 


. 00 


Nuts, 2 




10 


spirit Level 


:; m 


1 >i^k ^ 8 






Slid.' , 


•j 00 


Spring Button 






Sight, Front >S| orting) 






Itivel . 


16 


Knile blade 


7n 


•• 


I'm 


15 



21 



Receiver 

Slido 

Lever 

Main Spring. 
Firing Bolt . . 



Safety 

Lever Spring. . 

Extractor 

Trigger 

Safety Lover . . . 

Barrel stud 

Swivel 

Butt Stock Bote. 
Slido Bushing . 

Cams 

Connection 

Link 

Rear Band 

Front Band. . . 
Ti 



'P 

Ramrod stop 

Butt Plate 
Escutcheon 

Safety Catch Spring 



COMPONENT PARTS. 

Model IS318. 



IX) 


Sere Spring 


5(» 10 


50 


Forearm Screw . ... 


10 


75 


Lever Spring Screw. . . 


M 


25 


Lever Joint Pin 


10 


90 ■« 


Rear Band Screw 


10 


75 


Son* Spring Pin 


06 


60 


Slide Screw 


06 


50 


Safety Spring Tin 





00 


Lever-roll Pin 


(f> 


so 


Swivel Pin 


06 


:jo 


Cam Pin 


05 


•Jo 


Lever Roll 


10 


10 


Front Bai d Screti 


10 


50 


Lever .1 int i'in Screw 


06 


;jo 


('am Screw. . 


06 


75 


Tip Screu 


<>5 


50 


Safetj Lever Pin 


10 


10 


Block Screw 


05 


50 


Trigger Pin 


10 


5i) 


Piling Bolt Pin. . 


10 


50 


Butt Plate Screw 


10 


15 


Lever Screw 


10 


00 


Sere l*in and Slid** 


10 


50 


Bushing lMn 


10 


1 > 


Bam rod (Steel) ..... 


50 



OQ 



& 

o 

GO «»_i 
IN 5 

«a 

J a 
a* 

» I 

ft § 
© - 

#> s 

m 3 

^ o 



o 
* DC 



a > 

to a 

a 
3 




a 



bo 

r 



i 7 



*r o <o 





a 








~ 




u 


?> 


0> 






B 


<D 


<3 


^ 


E 


I 




<^. 




1 




CO 



. 2 

B P 



— -* N 



i i 

© ^ 



- o 
3 3 




24 






0) 

t 

p 
1 






a 
i 


H 


o 




s 


K 


o 

s 


- 


< 




fcc 


e 


# c 




? 




o 


• 


£ 


& 


B 


s 


►" 







IT) 

RIODKIj 1S7S. 

T«> Taki: tiii; Bruecu M» BANIRM Apart. 

(A combination screw driver and pin punch -t li* * only Implement ne cc soar) 
Furnished by the company at 88 cents each. » 

Loosen the rear icrew under the barrel. This will relieve the pressure of the 
lever spring. 

Cock the gun by opening and closing. 

Bringdown the lever i MM. plate 8) half way. 

Takeout lever pin (1, plat.- Don which the leVer rotates. This pin is held in 
place by the small screw ft plate i> directly above it. Turn this screw to the left 
until the circular cut In its ride is on a line with the lever-pin, and the latter can 
then be re m ov ed . 

Pull lever out of tin* joint 

Replace lever-pin so m to hold extractor in place. 

Remove screw (1, plate 2) which eooneoti lever and link, tin >u# h >le In the 
loft side of slide. 

Take out lever. Push slide(AA, plate 4) up and out, and then take out extractor 
(F, plat. 

STRimHQ Si.idk. 

Upcock slide and push out sere-pin PL plate f\ and remove s««re (00, plate : *) 
Take out pin at rear end of slide (5. plate 

Take out sUde prog and main spring (NN. plate 3). 

J Hive eros5 -pin 1 1, plate 3) out «>f firing bolt, and remove same. 

Remove link (W, plate ;i. by ti.kin^' las' screw out of slide. 

To Remove Taioosn. Sakkty, and Sakkty Lkvkr. 
Drive out trigger^pin («'.. plat*' 2) ai d safety pin above it (7, plate 2). 
Pull back safety catch (K, plate SJ and pull out tri^er. 

l*ush rorward safety catch as far as it will go, and it will drop out, together with 
the safety lever above it. 

To Takk ofp Ritt Stimk. 

Remove butt-piste and unscrew, with loms screw driver, the bolt which fastens 

stock to the frame. 

RKASSKMnLINO IhtEErn. 

Put on butt-stock. Rrplao itch, safety lever, and trig 

Assemble slide and cock it. Push safety-catch into notch of trigger. 

Put in extractor and lever pin. 

Insert slide and push it down, keeping extractor close to its place, m base of 

barrel. Attach lever. 

Takeout lever-pin, brim? lever into the joint, replace the pin, and secure it by 
tfivintf small screw above it half a turn to the right. 

Tighten the screw which was loosened Under the barrel. 

Never use a hammer or other force in either Stripping or assembling this system. 
If the ports are in proper position, everything will c;<» into place eusih . 

To detach the lever, breoeh-bloek. and extractor of model 1*>7 1. throw down the 
lever, depress the smsll spur contiguous to the arm of the lever key in the right 
side <>f the receiver, and s\vin£ the arm of the lever key a half turn, withdrawing It, 
and the parts are released. To replace them, put the parts in the same relative 
position as they o<xmpiod when the lever key was helug removed, and they will 
readily move to place and be secured by the lever key 



20 



CARTRIDGES, BltLlilS, Mil IIS, Etc. 

The following show exact size of Cartridges. 

When loading, if the Cartridge does not enter the chamber of barrel by the pn 
of the thumb, do not attempt to pry it in. It is dangerous. 



550— 

SPFCIAl 
















EXPTSS tU.LET. 



l> cal. >N rij/ht '"m k'ram 



[ERRATA :-See lower half of yAW 28, 1«* «>• 



AUHKK. 






BULMBTS. 



LENGTH OF i WKIOHTOF 



|;li .1.1 I 



Bl'LiRT. 





IN' II 


II) 




10 




ID 




10 


1W 


40 


m 


11 




II 




tl 


iv2 


11 


i ; . 


11 




15 




15 

15 

i:. 


i i 


15 




IS 




50 


i 


Ml 




50 





C.HA1NB 
190 

£05 

2U7 
105 

.',( M I 

520 

UN) 

ho 

500 
500 

125 



K1N1> OF CI II KT. 



KU R Pll 
1000. 



Kxj.n-ss, Naked (2 cannelure*)... $1 

Naked 13 cannelures) 

Patched and Swaged {Q t>:> 

;; '.'. ";;;; n so 

Kxp.-ss Naked -JraniMlu,. J* g 

Naked (2 eannelun w 

Patched and Swaged yi { „ 

II 50 

Bxprew Saked Scanner }* * 

Naked J cannelure* ,<, ,,,, 

patched and Swaged 

l") <«* 
l/.i.u- Kan--, patched .... . . , 

SiK-cial Li»iik RaiiKf. patched... J., 

Naked 13 cannelii , 3 M 

Patched and Sw t 

l . x I*'* — Nak< 



28 



CARTKIDGES. 



CAL1BHE. 


LENGTH OF 
silKLL. 


WEIGHT OF 
POWDUL 


LENGTH OF BULLET. 


Wl-'.iunr OF 
BULLET. 


THICK PER 
1000. 




IM'IIEH. 


GRAINS. 


INCHES. 


OKA1NS. 




40 


] i* 


60 


U Patched. 


885 


$87 no 


10 


$ 


45 


il 


80 00 


10 


«H 


70 


1* 


330 


80 86 


40 


»S 


to 


lfc 


330 


41 85 


10 




80 


y± Express Nk'd. 
% Naked. 


890 


17 75 


40 


ti 


100 


11H) 


17 75 


11 


3? 


75 


2V7 


88 86 


11 


75 


IU Patched. 


K»5 


41 25 


41 


!H) 


1« 


500 


5*5 00 


11 


ajZ 


105 


Hi 

II Express Nk'd. 
1JL Naked. 


520 


55 oo 


41 




100 


277 


50 00 


45 


"l o 


70 


400 


40 


45 


I 1 


70 


1>, Patched. 


420 


11 85 


4.". 


-Vo 


100 


112 Ixjmk Kanjro. 


650 


00 <>0 


II 


| 


U*) 


life Special U It. 


550 


• 50 50 


1") 


loo 


Patched. 


500 


51 INI 


IS 




110 


Li Kxiitvss Nk'd. 
l" Naked. 


an 


51 00 


50 


70 


425 


81 75 


50 




100 


1,^ Patched. 


i?3 


50 OO 


50 




110 


Express Nk'd. 


335 


52 50 



BILLETS. 








LENGTH O* 


WEIGHT Of 


CALIHUE. 


BULLET. 


BULLET. 




INCHES. 


OKA 


40 


IS 


100 




808 


10 


886 


40 


830 


40 


l't 


870 


11 


m 


zn 


11 


2«.'7 


U 


MB 


It 


5oo 


11 




',20 


15 


ft 


880 


51 


IA 


100 


flO 


"55 


«0 


11 


IX 


500 


l- 


ill 


500 


15 


iS 


580 


5(1 


i 


128 


50 


ift 


173 


60 


1 





ELM) OF BULI.KT. 



Express, Naked (2 cannelures) 

Naked (2 cannelures) 

Patched and Swaged 

Express Naked (0 cannelures) 

Naked < 2 cannelures) 

Patched and Swaged 

M M 

Express Naked (8 cannelures) 

Naked (8 cannelures) 

Patched and Bwaged 

L »n*r Range, patched 

SjMcial Lung Range, patched. 

Naked (8 cannelures) 

Patched and Swage 
Express Naked 



l'KIUE FEE 
1000. 



$10 86 

y 86 

10 85 

11 50 
18 50 

10 25 
18 50 
13 oo 

11 50 
13 85 
11 75 
13 <■» 

15 00 

16 50 

18 .50 

11 50 



2\) 
CBNTBB inn: < \n timix.i RHBliLI. 



40 calibre. 


1% inches Ions? 


40 


9\i 


40 


,.. M 


l » 

10 

41 


:: :: 


U 


.,.-,* 


45 


1 »» »» 

-1 » 


45 




45 


M " 


M 


in, " 


50 


tjj " 



straight $20 00 

21 00 

bottle-necked ]7 5»> 

1<M)0 

25 50 

21 25 

25 50 

straight WW 

88 45 

25 50 

17.50 

23 25 



Only the beat of attainable material is used in the ammunition comprised in the 
foregoing lists. All powder i^ tested to prove its uniformity of quality and strength, 
and the bullets are made with great care, the lead being properly alloyed with tin 
to insure accuracy and prevent leading the, barrel —patched bullets being - 
under powerful pr es s e s to secure uniformity of density and weight. Th»» patches 
are cut of hank note paper of even th manufactured for this company for 

the purpose, and are put on with the utmost exactness. 

OurspssfcU long range bullet, Composed of an alloy known only to and exclu- 
sively manufactured by this company, is giving the very finest results 

Our cartridge* are loaded /'.»/ hand labor <>/i/y, sddlng greatly to the expense of 
manufacture, hut Insuring exact uniformity of charge and adjustment. Every 
bullet is inspected after leering the presses, and all that are defective in weight, 
density, or form are rejected. 

Ammunition filled by machinery, and made of leas carefully selected material, 
can be found In market at lower prices than in our lists, but a careful comparative 
test as to the results obtainable therewith, will satisfy the hunter or marksman that 
*' the best w alwayn thr cheapcxt." 

We are now prepared to furnish hardened steel cartridge shells, holding about 
14 grains of powder, and using No 1 Berdan primers with dropped bullets, 50 to the 
pound (obtainable at any gun store), for gallery and short range practice with our 
military or other styles of ritles of 45 calibre. As line results can be obtained with 
them at short rank's as with the l>est gallery 22 or 32 calibre rifles, and at a trilling 
cost for ammunition. Their use in military rifles accustoms the soldier to his arm, 
and will perfect him in marksmanship as rapidly as practice with regular military 
cartridges. With ordinary care after using, to prevent rust, these shells will prove, 
we think, practically indestructible. It is not bettered that nickel-plating will add 
to th«ir endurance or prevent corrosion from the effect of the fulminate of the 
primer. 

Straight 40 calibre, 2^ ineh hardened st<nd sheets, holding 12 grains of 
powder, using dropivd bullets 70 to the pound, can be furnished at the same cost . 

Trice each . . fO 75 



80 

When ordered in lots of 100 or more, a discount of 25 per oent. will be made to 
the list price. 

We have made exhaustive experiment! with the so called "Everlasting" shells 
and have failed to find the advantages claimed for them. The "Everlasting" is 
drawn like other cartridge shells, in a press, from cold metal, and seldom can 
brass of sufficient ductility be found to stand the enormous strain to which it is 
subjected in drawing such a thickness, without so disintegrating the grain of the 
metal, that the thick shells become brittle, and split or break after a few dis- 
charges. The most durable cartridge shells in use, are reinforced or strengthened 
bja cup of brass, which is placed inside the completed form, thus allowing the body 
to be drawn of comparatively thin material. Our experiments have proved or- 
dinary shells to outlast the ''Everlasting," which cost four times as nnuh. 

We are prepared to chamber any of our arms for these heavy shells to order, 
but do not recommend them to our customers, believing that they cannot be 
made to average well for durability. 



RELOADING CAHTlllDiiKS, ETC., ETC. 

The cartridges furnished by the Sharps Rifle Co. can be depended uj>on 
for any kind of fhooting, but the rifleman who uses many, will find it a measure of 
economy to reload his shells. This can be done a gnat number of times, especially 
those fired in the long-range gun, in which the chambering is so close and the 
breech action so solid that there is scarcely any strain upon the shell. A wad- 
cutter, bullet-seater, shell-reducer, and loading-tube are the principal tools required 
for long-range shells. The shell should be thoroughly cleaned, and the easiest and 
most effective way to do this (we lefer now to Ion*. -range shells) is to have a little 
hand-brush and bottle of wafer on the field with your " Kit." A quarter of a min- 
ute's rubbing with the wet brush, inside and out, effectually cleans it, and nothing 
remains, when you wish to reload, but to recap* It when dry. If the cleaning is de- 
layed till the foul becomes dry and hard, then the shells may be soaked in vinegar 
for five minutes and afterward thoroughly washed in hot water. In all cases they 
must be thoroughly dry before recapping and reloading. When cleaned at home, 
remove the exploded cap before cleaning the shell. 

Clean out the debris, if any, around the anvil. The shell being cleaned and 
dry, if the bullet fits loosely, reduce the mouth of the shell with the reducer, put 
a new cap in place, BUNG careful to skat it SKLOW the BASS OS TBS shki,i. SO 
it will not ue tcitiiki) by tbs CLOSlxa bbjlech -block. The long-range cartridges 
made at the armory are charged with on<- hundred grains powder. To get this 
quantity into the shell it is necessary to use a loading tube This is made of nickel 
plated brass, about 80 inches long, one end fitted to take in and hold the small end 
of the shell, and the other t -in Hieing funnel -shaped. Place the shell in position and 
pour the powder sJotrfy enough, io bare It pack at least j^ of an inch from the 



mmitVi 



31 



mouth of the shell. Over it put a thin wad of draughting pap^r and plaee tho 
bullet within the shell with the fingerR. making sure you do not tear the paper 
patch. Now place the ball-seater over it and press the ball gently down to the 
powder, and the cartridge is complete* 

Different batches of powder of same brand often vary, so that it is found im- 
possible to get In one hundred grains ; in such a ease use one t<> three grains lei 
may be found necessary, taking care not t<> crush the powder. See that the paper 
patch d<>es not pet torn while seating luillet in shell, and when Inserting the cart- 
ridge in the ride be careful and not catch the patch on the rifling. Observe before 
inserting that the bullet has not gotten loose in the shell. If it has moved away 
from the powder it will fall short of the mark. 

Our estimate of quantity of powder is based on the best *'F. G." brands in gen- 
eral use. A stronger and quicker powder can be used in our rifles with perfect 
safety, but is liable to !>•• destructive to cartridge shells, and, we think, gives no 
better results. Expert riflemen, however, differ so greatly on this point, that wo 
prefer to leave our customers to decide it from personal experience 

For s]>ortinp cartridges, charge with the desired quantity of powder, placing a 
pasteboard wad upon the powder, and force it down the full length of the follower. 
When nsing patched bullets insert upon the wad a lubricant disk composed of one 
part pure be >swax to two parts sperm oil in weight, to occupy three-sixteenths of 
an Inch in length in the shell. 

Dip the base of naked bullets up to the forward ring in melted lubricating com- 
pound, taking care to fill the grooves. 

Place the bullet in the chamber of the bullet-seater, introduce the shell, and 
press it home with the hand, ami the cartridge Is ready for use. 

In casting bullets, heat the moulds nearly as hot as the molten lead, having 
first cleaned them of all oil. 

Linen or paper cartridges adapted to Sharps rifles made prior to 1801, and be- 
fore metallic e m ridges came into usa, are no longer male, nor are there any la 
market. We can furnish Sharps percussion pellets (price OOo. per W0)\ and bullet 
moulds of the proper calibre at %% each. Drop a bullet cast therein into the bar- 
rel, till the chamber above it with loose powder, and prime with the percui 
pellet or a Government Hit Cap, and the arm can be made a* serviceable us with 
cartridges, 

For weighing powder charges for rifles, apothecari i and the Apothe- 

caries' table of weights and measures are used. The tabic I 

% J"» grains, 1 scruple. I scruples one drachm. 

S drachms, 1 IS ounces 1 lb. 

Powder, however, is DO Ugh ( and sold by ATOirdlipolfl weight, which nSS W 

Ounces to the pound. The grain weight is the same in all tables. The pound Avoir- 
dupois contains 7, 0U0 grains. 



1 lb. powder will load 1 JO .7) ^r. cartrtdg 

1 M 75 ■• " * 

1 70 100 M 

.-I Drachm Avoirdupois is equal to XJ7U grains. 

Erery gun case contAina sufficient room to pack reloading implements and a 
quantity of ammunition, ajjd the coal <>f transportatioo will he but slightly In- 
creased by such an addition. Ammunition procured from the Armory is certain 
to be entirely reliable, and at a reasonable cost. No owner of a Sharps Rifle ran 
afford to be without a set of reloading implements manufactured by the company, 
srhich are the very beet made. By reloading cartridge shells, two thirds of the 
cost of ammunition may be saved. 

A Sharps rule will last a life time, if properly eared for. After use, it should 
be thoroughly cleaned and thoroughly oiled, then the oil should he thoroughly 
rubbed off inside and outside. (Use only fine gun or sperm oiL) With these pre- 
cautions, no trouble will be had from rust. • 

The lock mechanism in the breech-block or slide of the 1W8 Model very seldom 
needs examination, if kept oiled, except after exposure to storms or wet A rifle 
of this model in use for experimental purposes at the Armory, and from which not 
less than 10,000 shots have been fired, in-all sorts of weather, was recently stripped 
for the first time, and found to be in perfect order. When necessary to take apart 
I87M ."Model, follow directions on page 25. The foreaim of the long-rsnge rifle 
must first be removed, when same direetions apply. 



oiti> i its, i«:t«\ 

To avoid confusion and errors in filling < nlers, customers are n quest* d to <-b 
serve the following: 

State distinctly kind of rifle wanted. If not a Standard liijh\ such as long or 
mid range, hunter's or business, then state— 

Calibre, 

Weight, 

Length of Barrel, 

Length of shell, 

Style of Sights, front and rear, 

Trigger, double or single. 

If extras are Wanted, StatS them in detail. Give explicit Shipping directions 
And Post Office address, with county and State. We often j^et letters dated 
say Springfield, hut whether in California, Maine, or elsewhere, we are left in 
ignorance. 

lit rcufler, no account will I pi with i!>< I'. <hI<\ who arc rtguimt 

in Commercial Reports. Ordert than the Trad*, for sjoodi t>> ba ssutky 

freight lines or mail, mustbi "< »< // JMI noa tvith ih* <</*/<. Fcr»vn§ disirivg gvods V.O.J), 



33 

must designate an Express Office to which the goods arc to be forwarded, and remit at 
l*a*t omf<urth the probable amottnt of the bill with flu order. The KxprcMx charge for 

returning the numy uill be collected from consignee. The Company ha* been com- 
pelled to Adopt these rules by the great loss, expense, and trouble to which it bsi 
hitherto been subjected in endeavoring to collect smull accounts scatter*. 1 through 
every State and territory in the Union. 

Money may be sent at our risk imty by express, charges prepaid, bank draft, 

or by Post Office order. 

U. S. Postage stamps of any denomination received in payment for tfoods, when 
paper money cannot be procured. 

Uank drafts should be drawn to the order of the sender, and by him made pay- 
able to our order. Qoodawillbe sent by freight line unless specially ordered by 

express. Express charges an- about four times as high SS fast Freight line. Pack- 
ages measuring less than fifteen inches, and weighing not more than four i>ound>», 
can be .sent by V, s. Mail at one cent per ounce, prepaid (cxcipt cartridges, powder t 
and primers.) This, except foi short distances, is nim-!i the cheapest method for 
small articles, and is a great convenience for person I living at a distance from an 
expn >s office. Merchandise sent by U. S. Mail can now lie registered. 

.1// good*, when $kipped (as directed), arc at th> risk- of the purchaser. 

Whenever a rifle is returned to the armory f >r any purpose, a card should bo 
attached, giving full name and address of sender, and stating for what purpose 
sent : also send full address and instructio ,s by mail. 

In localities wl. re our aoods are kept in stock bg dealers, no discount will Im' gir< f/», 
except to the trade. Jn other localities, clubs or persons Joining together and pur- 
chasing by the case, will be allowed a discount. 



34 



From a very grat number of fos'i monirtt* vnlunt trlty yirm /»»/ custom- 
er*, which tec have received, a fine aro mppem&e f, which embofly the .smti- 
ments and universal opinion of the many. 



Nekton, Mass., Dec. 6th, 1* 
Sharps Rifle Co. : 

Gfe*Ueme*— September 2d T bought one of your 1878 long-range rifles, of your 

agent Wm. Read S: Sins. I must say I have enjoyed long-range shooting since I 

have had it ; it is just perfect. I have used it In twelve matches atSOO, 900, and 1000 

yards; ten out of the twelve matches average 814 f Q . I give these figures as a proof 

of its excellence; it is worthy of the name it hears, Old Reliable. 

Tours respectfully, 

JOHN'S. SUMNER. 



Salisbury, Montana, April 2Sth, 1879. 
Messrs. SnARPS Rifle Co.: 

Having purchased one of your 13 calibre ■porting rifles from a dealer, lean 

safely say it is unsurpassed for accuracy and strong shooting, also for the splendid 

workmanship and proportions of the arm. The Sharps Old Reliable stands at the 

head of the list for all purposes, and especially for frontiersmen is the best gun 

science and mechanical skill has ever produced. 

Very resp wt fully yours. 

C. M. RICHMOND. 



Boston, Mass., April 10th, 1879. 
Sharps Rifle Company: 

ntlein-n — I have used 'the long range rifle that I ordered of you during the 

past season, and it has given me entire satisfaction in every respect; my first score 

was 103, my highest score wasSHL I have shot u in twenty -sLr matches, witii an 

average of 210. I shot the same shells that came with the rifle. 

Respectfully, 

W. H. JACKSON. 



[From 4l Forest & Stream," Dec. 12th, 1«78] 

* * * 

If these gentlemen had carried such S rifle as Sharps Rifle Go. sold MS, they 
would have bad noc&uss for complaint. It is 15 calibre and shoots 100 grams 

powder. For range penetration and certainty, 1 have never owned a weapon ap- 
proaching to it. This is no p itf; I buy my guns and pay cash for them. 

NED ia'NTLINK. 



35 

"TriK Stamford Mantfaitiimm; Company," 

Stamford, Con*., Aug. I8th, i v 
Sharps Rifll Co.: 

I hare been thoroughly testing my two Dew rifles, nml find them Al in every 

particular. I don* t believe it possible fur any gunmaker in the world to turn out 

finer arms. With my mid-range, on the first trial. 1 made five straight bulfa 

on the second trial five more and on the third five more. The five shots on the 

second trial could be crossed by a circle three Inches in diameter, and on the third 

trial by a circle two inches in diameter. With my long-range, at same distance 

(800 yards), the results were RSgOOd as with the mid-range. When any one canshow 

me better wrrfc than this, 1 am willing to let my Sharps lb?8 go, and try son* - 

thing else. * * * 

1 have now two rifles that no man need be ashamed of , and as for shooting, 

they cannot be beaten. 

Truly yours, 

WM . W. SKIDDY. 



Newport, R. I., Dec. 2Gth, 18; S. 
Armory op Sharps Rift.e Co., Bridgeport: 

I>> or siis You will be pleased to hear that the rifle you made for my sou has 
been very much admired in Cheyenne, and b old hunters in Wyoming territory 
pronounced the very Ust they had ever seen 

Very truly, 

ED. MAYER. 



Upper Lakjs, Laxd Co., Cal., Dec. 4th, 1878. 
Sharps Rifij? Co. : 

Qtntkmn* -Proud to inform you that the Sharps mid-range rifle, -10 cal.. 70 
grs., which you sent me, more than answers my expectations. After having hunted 
forty-five years, and always having the host guns of the day, I pronounce that gun 
to !)<* the best in every respect that I have ever used. I hunt for large bucks only, 
and boars. In my last hunt I killed fifty-four large bucks and three bears, each 
bear dead in its tracks with a single shot for each. It seemed to me that an old 
buck could nut get out of range. Will give you one illustration of that. Was riding 
out from camp one evening with my Indian boy; saw a large buck standing a long 
way off; jumped off my horse, raised my ^un to shoot, when the Indian boy said, 
"Too far to tthot him; t<M> far to fftol him." Biased away: up tumbled the buck. 
That boy had stood by me in the course of \ ears, and had seen me kill as main as 

five hundred large deer. Would not begin to give my sharps for any mags sine gun 
I have ever seen. Have used several; consider them all more or less dangerous, 

Have known many accidents happen with them; but If an accident happens with a 
Sharps, it w ill be the fault of the man. not of the gun. 

Respectfully. 

GEORGE DUCKNELL 



San Francisco, Dec 18th, I87& 
Sharps Rifle CVx: • 

Gentlemen— I received my Sharps Military, model 1ST-;, from your agent last 
week, so the first match we had I took it out and tried it to see what I could do with 
it at $X) and 500 yards, and cleaned out the whole crowd. There was a heavy 
mirage at 800 yards, and when I got to the 50J yards it wai blowing a small gale. 
Under more favorable circumstances, I could improve considerably on the score. 

This is the score, and the first shots ever fired out of it: 

200 yards.— \ 1, t, r>, 4, 4, 5, 5, 5, 5=ifl ) _ nnoolMa inn 
500yards.-O, 4, :i, 4, 3, 5, 5, 4, 5, 5^13 \ = 89 < possible 100. 

At 500 yards, the wind got very troublesome, and blew two of my sliots into the 

three line. Several of the other members of the company shot scores, and were 

highly pleased with it, so much so, that half a dozen of them intend to purchase as 

soon as they can, and shoot them in the next tournament of the association. My 

opinion is, that the ritle is unsurpassed for simplicity of action and workmanship; 

and is the most accurate shooting military ritle I have shot, and I have shot a groat 

many of them. It is easily cleaned, and not liable to get out of order. I hope to 

give you a better account of its shooting qualities in the near future. 

I am yours, most respectfully, 

Lieut. JOSH ROBERTSON. 



Chelsea, Mass., Feb. 16th, 1879. 
SnARPs Rifle Co.: 

Gentlemen— I feel in duty bound to tell you how highly pleased I am with the 

long-range rifle procured from you. It certainly i.s -earor perfection than any other 

rifle ever made. No " unthxomntabie mitten" need occur with proper care in 

loading. It is a model of elegance, accurate in all its parts, and needs no mallet, 

hammer, or stump to assist in Inserting the cartridge, as do some other mak< 

cannot give it too much praise. 

Yours respectfully, 

J. F. BROWN. 

Cfelsea, Mass., March 29th, 1879. 
Sharps Rifle Co., Bridgeport, Conn.: 

Gentlsmen— The loner range ritle I received from you in September last is giv- 
ing perfect satisfaction, and is appropriately stamps! "Old Reliable. w I have now 
shot it between seven and eight hundred times, at long range, and have never yet 
had an "unaccountable" shot with it. And I believe from my own experieno*, 
and that also of my shooting friends, who are using the same kind of rifle, that our 
shooting is very much improved jtnne using it. 

Yours truly, 

WILLIAM OERRI8H. 



Camp Douglass, IT. T., Dee. ^th, 1878. 
Sharps Rikijc t '».. Bridgeport, < Jonn. : 

ts 1 am very happy t<> Inform you Hint 1 have this day done very remark- 
able shooting, with a sharps mid range riile procured from you ten month! ago, 
I used a Brat class target at nod yards- range, making »'» <«ut of a poaaible BO, using 
uuly the ordinary |>eep and globe sight, a align! breeze blowing acroaatbe llneol 
tiif 1 think this a remarkable score to make with the mid range rifle, and every 
one here thinks likewise I made au itnproveinent on my cartridge bj using;? 
grains of powder instead of TO, as you recommended. Kudosed pleas.- Hud a dia- 
gram of target and Bhooting. The rifle gives me the highesl satisfaction, ami I am 
justly proud of possessing s piece <,, true and accurate. 

I am, wry respectfully, 

Your obedient servant, 

GEORGE HELLMAN, Co. H.. l-tth Inft. 



Shahi 

attests*— * * * I have made the subject «»f firearms a study fur up 

ward of thirty years, and have come to the eonclui ioo that, m point of simplicity 
of parts, excellence of workmanship and material, neatnens, compactness, and 
strength, at the same time combining perfect safety, with length of range, accur- 
acy, and penetrating power, the Sharps Rifle has do equal. 

Yours truly. 

Kiv. SAMUEL Kl'HN. 

lliumm rut on. Pa. 



T<> SHAare Rnru Co 

i>"i, 8irt l have just returned from a trip to Montana, where the pa*t sixi 
months hare been spent hunting large game in that magnificent game ooontrj 
During that time 1 have used exclusively the loo (Sharps rifle, 44 calibre. 

bought of you In June, 1876, and take pleasure Id testifying to the satisfaction.it 
haa always given. I traveled «»\«-» 2,200 miles with it Blung to the horn of my saddle, 
discharged it over 8*500 times, \\.i-> exposed to numerous snow and rain storms 
was " bucked off " several times bj ■ r*l It was never once oat of 

order, nor did it ever fail to do Ite dutj when aeld right and with properly loaded 
Sheila. I hunted all kinds of game, with which that country abounds, and 
killed antelope, while and black tail deer, *-ik. buffalo, and grlssly bear, yet the 
rifling is as bright, ami the gun is nibstantiall 1, as when I bought it 

course I have taken the best of care of it. Were I logo on such a trip again. I 
would select the same class of {run instead of the "sporting guns" usually taken. 
l was glad l selected the "straight 1 stock instead of the pistol "gup. as the 
latter would not have wit h stood the had usage received. I met sonic Knglish 



38 



gentlemen out there with the finest double express rifle with "pistol grip" sto*ck, 
but in each case the stock was shattered and patched up. 

Very truly, 

W. D. PICKETT. 

St. Louis, Mo, 



From F. E. Kellogg, Goleta, Col. 

* * I have tried my new Sharps very thoroughly, and find it to be 
what it is marked, "Old Reliable." I have never, in my twelve years of front- 
ier life, found a gun that had so much to recommend it. I have met the champion, 
Owen, with his rifle, and had no trouble in defeating him very badly. 



From L. F. Main, Orleans, Nebraska. 

* * * I have used your rifles from the oldest to the newest, and will say 
that they are the most durable and accurate rifles 1 ever saw. Have known them 
to kill buffalo at 900 yards. 



Office of W. M. Wrioiit, Architect. 

Monroe, Wis.. Oct. nth, 1878 
C. L. ReesMAN, Esq.. Chanee, 111. 

Dear sir- Yours received. I have taken the liberty of forwarding it to Sharps 
Rifle Co. I own one of Sharps mid-range rifles, model of 1378, and can safely say it 
shoots the best of any gun I ever put to my shoulder. It took a little time I 
accustomed to the pull. V : lbs. on the trigger, but now I would not have it less 
* * * I expect this winter to go up north, into the pinery, where deer and 
bear are plenty, and I want a gun that w^rll throw such a ball as will discovu 
bear from coming to put his paws about my neck, to ask if I was in earnest, or only 
joking! 330 grains of lead, delivered ahead of 65 grains powder from my mid-range 
won't stop by crying whoa! I can assure you of this, if you need a first class breech 
loading rifle, ^et a Sharps. 1 have owned and used nearly every other kind: write 
to them, and they can advise you better than I, as to the particular one needed for 
vour purposes. Their trade mark of " Old Reliable Is merited by the experience 
of the Company, and the honesty of their productions. 

Respectfully yours, 

WM. ML wTUOHT. 

N. B. -1 am u<»t in the employ of Sharps Rifle Co., as possibly might be supposed 

from this letter; ha i or known one of the officers or employees, but they 

have treated me BO courteously, and sold me such a good gun. that I cannot help 

telling v.. n the truth about them and their goods. 

W M W. 






39 

New York, 48 W. 27th Street, Feb. 23, 1879. 
Sharps Rifle Co. : 

Dear Sirs— I tried my new mid-range yesterday, at Hartung's Park, for the 
first time; and, although everything was against fine shooting, a violent snow storm 
making it impossible to see the bullseye distinctly, and the powder some I had dug 
out of some old shells, I made, at 200 yards actual distance, on a Creedmoor target 
8 inch bullseye, 4s out of a possible 50. It is the most remarkable gun for holding its 
elevations I ever saw. After firing 25 lubricated cartridges rapidly till the barrel 
was almost too hot to hold, I was astonished to find, on shooting another cartridge, 
that the elevation was just the same as when I first began, when the gun was very 
cold, about 30 degrees temperature. This seems like a fish story, but I don't see 
how I could make any mistake. There was not a particle of leakage of gas, all 
the shell looking outside as if they had just been cleaned. 

1 thought this report was due you. The appearance of the gun made a great 
sensation. All the riflemen, some thirty, crowded around to see and admire it, 
except Farrow, who did not give it a glance. 

Yours very truly, 

S. T. O. DUDLEY. 



Office of DAVTS & TATEM. 

Iron Founders and Machinists, 

Helena. Montana, June 1st, 1870. 
Sbaps Rifle Co. : 

I have carefully tested the rifle, model 1878, purchased from you, from 100 to 
1000 yards, and find that it shoots with extreme regularity I have made excellent 
scores at all ranges, and am entirely satisfied lt< Meld performance and work- 
manship are hard to beat. 

Yours truly, 

B. H. TATKM 

Pim Iftlena Rifle Club 



LRBMr'26 




LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 




014 755 277 4 



